Breaking: First suspected COVID-19 case test 'negative' – No confirm case in Solomon Islands

Results of the first suspected Coronavirus case of Solomon Islands sent to Australia is ‘Negative’ confirms the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS).

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health Mrs. Pauline McNeil in a statement issued this afternoon says that the public can now be rest assured that the results of the first suspected case is negative with no detection of coronavirus.

However, she says the ministry is still awaiting for the result of the other two (2) samples sent to Australia last week.

“The general public will be informed when the result of these two (2) samples when available,” Mrs. McNeil says in the statement.

“The Ministry of Health and Medical Services received the results of the first suspected case from our collaborating partner, the Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory (VIDRL) based in Melbourne, Australia.”

Mrs. McNeil, on behalf of the MHMS would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the work of the members of the NDOC-Health Committee, National Referral Hospital, our Collaborating partners World Health Organization (WHO) and Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory (VIDRL) and the Prime Minister’s Office.

“While this is a very pleasing results, the MHMS would again call on the public to remain vigilant and practice good hygiene such as cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing, wash your hands with clean water and soap at all times or use hand sanitizer, eat more fruits and vegetables, avoid crowded gatherings, maintain social distance at least one (1) meter apart and avoid non-essential travelling to coronavirus affected countries.”

Mrs. McNeil would like to appeal to general public to avoid rumors, misinformation and speculation, but get the accurate and facts information from MHMS.

The MHMS will continues to work together with other Government Ministries, Partners and Stakeholders to ensure our country is protected from Coronavirus.